Updating CV

BYTEr

BYTEr

BYTEr

Associate
Joined
2 Oct 2004
Posts
1,048
Hi all,

I haven’t needed to update my CV in a couple of years, and although I haven’t made a final decision, I may need an updated CV fairly soon, and even if I don’t, I guess it’s prudent to have one.

My last CV was essentially the one I created fresh out of University, so was mostly about my degree and the transferable skills I gained from it.

Now I’ve got some years of experience, and more of a proven skillset, I’m struggling how to approach it, so would appreciate some ideas or suggestions.

Essentially, all I’ve been doing for the last 2 years, is project work using Excel, and in the last year, also SQL/Access in a data technician and currently a Business Intelligence Analyst roles.

I’ve looked at other CV’s, and it seems so many people proclaim to be an expert in Excel, I feel I need to somehow prove my proficiency and the fact that I am actually productive using Excel if that makes sense.

Do I simply just list things I’m confident in when using Excel, eg; pivot tables/charts, conditional formatting, formulas such as IF/AND/OR, Index+Match, Error-handling etc, I’ve also used Power Query, Power Pivot, Macro’s & VBA a fair amount in the last year, but don’t want to proclaim I’m an expert in these areas.

And when it comes to SQL & Access, do I do something similar to the above, whilst stating only 12 months experience to try and come across as someone who is by no means a beginner, but probably not quite at an ‘intermediate’ level.

I’d also plan to list a number of the projects I’ve undertaken or been a part of.

Also a separate question, is it wise to just focus on these things? I do of course have other skills and done other things like leading projects, presenting to management, dealing with customers/suppliers, writing documentation, writing scripts etc but being a proficient and productive user of Microsoft Excel and becoming more so each day in SQL & Access are the main ‘skills’ I have and want to continue to develop and be the main focus in any new prospective roles.

Any help on the based way to put the above into a CV would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
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You need to highlight what the results were of any work you completed. So with excel - sql I'm assuming some sort of data report was made at the end of it, that must have lead to some choices being made about the future company direction.

If I'm looking through applicants all it comes down to is how much money your going to make me or save me.
What you actually know is largely irrelevant if you cant put it to good use for the company.
 
You need to give milestones, goals achieved in your CV that will substantiate your Excel skills, for eg, in my case, assembly of master data for SAP involving multiple vlookups, access queries, etc....
 
Don't think you need to get too detailed about it tbh... if you've mentioned it as a significant part of your role and you've whacked in some achievements etc.. then people will get the picture that you know your stuff rather than it merely being something you have some familiarity with.
 
There are two audiences for your CV.

One is HR/recruiters/software screens that basically look for keywords and spelling mistakes. The other is the team you're applying to who usually care about what you can do for them.

A fairly standard way to satisfy both is to describe what things you've done, ideally quantitatively, with enough magic words sprinkled through the prose to satisfy the first group.
 
I find every three years the language, style and my focus changes. I read the old cv then go to bed and write a new one in the morning without looking at the old cv or worrying about details. This means I write focused what is important. Only once finished as a draft only then will I check between them to spot if there’s any topics that would add value (not “missing” and certainly don’t cut and paste text). Then read the new cv and go to bed. Wake up and write a new draft repeating the process above. Take this version to people to proof read, then once you have the feedback - read that version and the feedback and go to sleep. Finally write the last version from scratch.

The beauty of this approach (John cleeses’s creative writing) is that each brand new version doesn’t carry the baggage over and your brain chews whilst asleep. Cleese said it took him three drafts on average, oddly when I look at all my work - it’s typically been three too which is spooky.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I have finally managed to get something I'm fairly happy with but I don't think I'd ever be entirely happy with it as it always comes down to the opinion of the person looking at it, what they're looking for, job your applying for etc.

I've kept it fairly basic and concise to fit it on 2 pages, although I could easily make it 3 or 4 pages.

I'll see if I get any responses, I never seem too but then when I do I seem to always impress at interviews as I think I'm much better at talking about myself, what I looking for, skills, experience etc than putting it on paper.

Biggest issue I'm going to have with a new job though is minimum salary, I'm very well paid for my role/area, probably £4-£5k more than other similar jobs, this is because of 2 promotions however and proving my value to my current business, I cant afford to go any lower, especially since I now have a family, mortgage etc.

Thanks again all.
 
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